The Yonex Sunrise India Open 750 is a premier international tournament that is held annually at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, and as always fans and players alike anticipated an exciting week of top-class badminton action. However, the tournament’s allure was overshadowed by subpar infrastructure, poor facilities and conditions, making it a frustrating experience for everyone involved.
To begin with, the tournament takes place during Delhi’s harsh winters, with temperatures plummeting at night, the stadium is poorly insulated and the stands make for an uncomfortable experience for anyone watching. But the biggest concern of them all is the abysmal state of the washrooms, year after year, the stadium facilities fail to impress as poorly maintained, unhygienic and dirty washrooms are open for use. The Media lounge is situated adjacent to the VVIP and VIP lounges, yet the facilities remain subpar for everyone. Professionals reported unusable washrooms, with some even opting to wait until they returned home rather than face the unhygienic conditions.
Athletes in off the camera conversations have admitted that the conditions at the India Open have been appalling, players have admitted that international tournaments in India have been marred by subpar conditions including overflowing toilets, unsafe drinking water, and pigeon droppings on courts.
A top official and source also expressed frustration over the poorly maintained state of the stadium, the source noted that during the initial inspections, the conditions were appalling and that they could only do so much in a short span of time ahead of the tournament.
As Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt exited early from the tournament, she publicly criticised the conditions at the IG Indoor Stadium. In a statement shared on social media, she said:
“Finally home after a long and stressful week in India. It’s been 2 years in a row now that I get sick during the Indian Open. It’s really hard to accept that many weeks of work and preparing get wasted because of bad conditions. It’s not fair to anyone that we have to train and play in smog, birds shitting on the courts and dirt everywhere. These conditions are too unhealthy and unacceptable.”
Adding to the woes were safety concerns, which were a recurring theme at the stadium. Several staircases, entryways and pathways were unlit, creating a bit of an unsettling atmosphere as matches stretched late into the night. Not only that, the lounges, which are supposed to be a place of comfort for both fans and working professionals, were moldy, posing serious health risks to attendees, raising serious questions about the overall maintenance of the venue.
On the day of the semi-finals, Secretary of Badminton Association of India, Sanjay Mishra, released an official statement acknowledging the logistical challenges that the organisers have faced due to the lack of limited access to the venue. In a statement that was released yesterday, Mishra said
“As the host and staging authority for the Yonex Sunrise India Open, the Badminton Association of India gains access to the stadium and its infrastructure only four days before the event, which poses significant logistical challenges. We are already in discussions with the BWF to explore alternative venues and are actively evaluating the infrastructure options.”
Each year, enthusiastic badminton fans turn up in great numbers to watch their favourite shuttlers, and the Indian Open certainly holds a special place in their hearts. So far, authorities have failed to capitalise on this passion and foster an environment that is conducive for players and fans alike.With that said, it is imperative that the authorities address these issues and ensure a better experience for everyone involved.
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